Method of and apparatus for treating tubular textile fabrics



March 18, 1952 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING COHN ET AL TUBULAR TEXTILE FABRICS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 10, 1949 HUM lNV N O 5 do arid E1 2 5% ORNEYS March 18, 1952 s CQHN ETAL 2,589,344

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TUBULAR TEXTILE FABRICS Filed Dec. 10, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6

INV N O S 255$. 25%, [gen 62:)???

lzromr/ ATTORN YS March 18, 1952 5 COHN ETAL 2,589,344

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TUBULAR TEXTILE FABRICS Filed Dec. 10, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 M TIMI UT fan /xv i???) n4; ax/ ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 18, 1952 METHOD OF AND, APPARATUS FOR TREAT- ING TUBULAR. TEXTILE FABRICS Samuel Cohn, Jules G. Walter, and Eugene Cohn, New York, N. Y., assignors to Samcoe Holding Corporation, Woodside, N. Y., a. corporation of New York Application December 10, 1949, Serial No. 132,374

so Claims; (01. 26-185) This invention relates to the treatment of tubular textile fabrics and particularly to a novel method of preshrinking and setting such fabrics so that i ments made therefrom will notbe subject to further substantial shrinkage asthe result of laundering.

It s; i tubular textile fabrics to a steaming and calen dering operation to finish the fabric prior to cutting lntoj ments. In the standard procedure, the tubulai; fabric is advanced over a spreader which su ects the fabric to lateral and longitudinal te ibn as it advances, the longitudinal tension ing maintained to the point wherefthe fabric isgripped by the calender rolls. After passing calender rolls where it is subjected to pressure: and sometimes heat, the fabric is rolled QlZ-iffbldfid and delivered to the cutting tables. Because of the longitudinal tension which is maintained throughout the steam treatment, no shrinkage is permitted, and consequently the finished fabric is subject to shrinkage when laundered,.-;'

It is thepbject of the present invention to provide a method of and apparatus for treating tubular textile fabric whereby the fabric i longitudinally, compressed before, during or] after steaming. and is not therefore subject to substantial additional shrinkage as a result of laundering, an object which has long been considered desirable but heretofore has not been obtainable in the treatment of tubular textile fabrics.

Another object of the invention'is the provision of a method of and apparatus for'setting the stitches of a tubular textile material in their natural form andcontour and'free'of internal stress, with a reduction in the inherent residual shrinkage so that garments made therefrom are not subject to modification by substantial shrink-' age.

Another object of the invention is to permit calendering' or finishing the fabric by theapplication of rolling pressure thereto without'interfering with the desired shrinkage. r

v, A further object of the invention is'the pro-5 vision of amethod of and apparatus for treating tubular textile fabrics which do not depend uponthe previous condition ortreatment of the fabric, being universally applicable to" the many varieties of such fabrics which appear in commerce. Other objectsand advantages of the invention will be apparent as. it is better understood by reference to the following specification and the accompanying drawing, inwhich 'i I Fig. 1 is'an elevation. of thefeeding' end of the een the practice heretofore to treat Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the delivery end of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of one side of the propeller;

Fig. 5 is a section on the'iine 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-5 of Fig. 2:

Fig. 'l is an elevation partially in section of the mechanism for controlling the pressure of the finishing rolls; I v f Fig. 8 is a side view of one of the propeller pulleys. I I v The present invention depends upon the ap-l plication of an aqueous medium such as steam or water as a finely divided spray to the fabric while the latter is in relaxed condition with re spect to its longitudinal dimension, the steam, for example, being applied in a particular manner so that all parts .of. thefabric are uniformly treated and subjected to identical conditions as it advances. After steaming, the fabric may be subjected to a blast of air," cold or heated, and applied in a manner and .in suificient quantity to remove themoisture supplied by the steam. However, we have found that excellent resultsare obtainable when the air is omitted and its use is therefore optional. As during the steam-, ing treatment, the treatment with air if usedmust be carried out while the fabric is relaxed longitudinally, no longitudinal tension being'per-J mitted at any point in the fabric during or after steaming.

Calender or finishing rolls may follow or. replace the air drying of the fabric, provided-that such rolls are so operated as to avoid longitudi' nal tension in the fabric; Thereafter, the fabric is conveyed, still without longitudinaltension, preferably to a folding device which-delivers the fabric in layers.

The initial condition is the feeding-of the fabric in a relaxed condition. The fabric is delivered by any suitable mechanism from the pile or roll. so that there is no longitudinal tension in the fabric, to a propeller. The propeller is a frame operating within the tubular fabric, which spreads it laterally to the desired width in a flattened form. The propeller is provided with 'end.-; less belts on each side in two sets. The fabric is spread to any desired width on the fir'stset which operates at a predetermined speed higher: than that of the second set. Thus, as the fabric: is advanced, it is overfed as it engages the second set of belts which, because of the lower speed, causes the fabric to compress, with the result that riflles appear in the fabric, thus ensuring that all longitudinal tension is completely relieved.

There are no frictional spreader parts engaging the advancing fabric. There is rolling and driving contact throughout. As the cloth passes on to the propeller, it is in contact with the entry rolls, then passing to the driven belts which both spread and drive the cloth. An important feature of this propeller is the uniformity of drive and speed of each set of belts, so that both edges of the fabric are delivered uniformly. both over the primary and secondary sets of belts. I The grooves of the radius rolls which drive the belts are knurled, and this knurl is impressed in the elastic rubber covering of the belts which therefore gives positive drive. The rubber belt itself consists of an internal core which is non-elastic and an outside rubber covering which is of elastic rubber. of the belts on the propeller with positive grip. No slippage, frictional or otherwise, is thus possible.

When the fabric is free from longitudinal tension as evidenced by the riffles, steam is applied in the form of a jet or jets extending transversely of the fabric from both above and below the fabric, the upper and lower jets being opposed so that the pressureof the jets is balanced and no pressure is exerted'to distend the fabric. A suitable device for applying the steam is disclosed in the co-pending application Ser. No. 118,086

filed September 27, 1949, and the details thereof form no part of the present invention. "Other steaming 'means may be utilized, although the steam chests as disclosed in said application are most effective for thepu'rpose, since distortion of" the fabric due to the pressure of the steam is avoided; the pressure of the opposed jets being neutralized. Whatever steaming'means are used may be applied to the advancing fabric while it is passing over either' set of propeller belts or both-g that'is to say, the steam'm'ay be applied at any point between the ends of the propeller, although preferably it is' applied after the fabric is relaxed on the belts traveling at the lower speed. i All parts 'of the fabric are supplied with steam at' the'same temperature and pressure, the treatment being uniform throughout the fabric as it advances. Owing: to therelaxed condition of the: fabric, the steam causes the stitches of the fabricto'adjust themselves to their natural contour and form, and free of internal stress, and effects a reduction in the relaxation shrinkage, andshrinkage to the natural dimensions of the fabric: results.

' For: many fabrics, an effective result is obtainable by applying steam to the lower portion of the fabric as. it advances over the propeller belt mechanism, with or without a similar applicationof air toythe upper portion of the advancing fabric.

Following the steaming and while the fabric is still relaxed, it maybe subjected to a jet or jets or air, heated or cold, and applied to the top and bottom in opposed relation as in the case of steam, to avoid any distortion or tension in theafabric, In some cases, air is applied only to the bottom of the fabric. The amount of air and the temperature are such as to immediately remove the moisture present as the result of steaming.

:The fabric may then pass without longitudinal tension/into calender rolls for further finishing, if -desiredpprovided thatno longitudinal tension ofxthefabric is permitted. We have found, however,-'that calender rolls are not always necessary, since the treatment previously described delivers This results in a. constant outside speed the fabric, still without longitudinal tension but longitudinallycompressed, is delivered to a conveyor consisting preferably of slats adapted to be advanced continuously by suitable driving means. The fabric loops itself between the slats and is conveyed without tension to the folder. Conveyor and folding mechanism, suitable for use with the present invention, is disclosed in the copending application Ser. No. 116,174 filed September 26, 1949, and the details thereof form no part of the present invention.

I In the customary procedure for finishing or calendering tubular fabrics, spring pressure, usually light, is used on the finish rollsagainst the cloth to obtain a pressing or calendering effect. Such spring pressure exerted on the-finish rolls is in addition to the normal weight 0f the finish rolls themselves. In the present appara-' 'tus, the weight 'of these rolls is approximately 150 pounds. It has been found that in order to get the best shrinkage results it 'is-necessary to avoid finish roll pressure'which tends to stretc the cloth. a 7 While it is possible in somecases to separateor' remove the finish rolls to obtain the best-shrinkage results, in connection with many fabrics this presentsa problem as it-is important to obtain a pressing or calenderingeffecting'on the cloth in addition to the shrinkage thereof. Even though no spring pressure is used,- the weight of the finish rolls themselves upon thecloth tends to stretch the cloth.

In order to avoid thepressure of the rolls against the fabric, but yet to have the fabric in contact with the rolls to obtain the pressing or calendering effect, a set of offset springs may be used to offset any or all 'of the weight of the finish rolls. With this offset pressure mechanism any pressure condition may be obtained from zero pressure at the .finish roll nip up to more than the full weight of the rolls, or from'zero pressure down to an actual opening of the finish rolls or as little pressure as is desirable in connection with the shrinkage result and cloth finish desired. Whenever the offset springs are in action, the upper r011 begins to have its floating tendency. It is most desirable to have what -'we call a featherweight pressure which almost completely offsets the weight of the roll, but still results in a satisfactory pressing or' calendering effect without affecting the-processes-ofshrinkage initiated throughout the machine.

Referring to the drawing, 5 indicates the frame of the machine which is of suitable sturdy construction to withstand the stresses to which it is subjected. A pulley 6 (Fig. 2) is mounted on a shaft 1 extending transversely of the frame and is adapted to be driven from any suitable source of power such as an electric motor. The-shaft .1 carries a variable speed pulley'8 from which a other parts of the mechanism are driven in'the on shafts extending transversely of the frame. These rollers serve merely as guides for the fabric. The fabric then passes onto the spreader or propeller as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 6 of the drawings.

The propeller consists of frames 2| connected to central members 22. The members 22, are

' joined by a rod 23, and rods of different lengths can be substituted to adjust the mechanism to the desired'width of the fabric. The frames 2! carryrollers 24 and pulleys 25 and 26 disposed respectively at the central and end portions of the frame. Endless belts 21 are disposed about the pulleys 25 and 26 so that the belts are exposed to and engage the edges of the fabric which are advanced continuously in a flattened and laterally spread condition. The. groove in pulley 25, at the left viewing Fig. 4, is of smaller diameter than the adjacent pulley 25, so that when driven in the manner hereinafter described, the belts 2'! at the left of Fig. 4 travel at a lower speed than that of the belts 21 at the right of the figure. Consequently, as the fabric passes over the spreader, the forward .portion thereof will be retarded with the result that the fabric forms rifiies 28 (Fig. 2) being thus relaxed longitudinally and consequently free from longitudinal tension. This is an essential feature of 'the invention, upon which the successful operation depends.

To drive the pulleys 25, the shaft 16 (Figs. 2, 5 and 6) carries worms 2!! engaging worm gears 30 on shafts 3| vertically mounted inthe frame. At the upper ends of the shafts 3 l,driving wheels 32 are provided with peripheral grooves 34 adapted to engage the fabric I! at the edge thereof .as indicated in Fig. 6. The fabric is thus held between the belts 21 and the pulleys and the surface of the driving whee s 32. The surfaces of the belts 5| are relatively resilient, so that the fabric 32 is gripped positively and thus advancesv without friction or slipping. The positive feeding of the fabric assures the resultindicated in Fig. 2. The grooves in the pulleys 25 and 26 are knurled or hobbed, as indicated at 35 (Fig. 8) and engage the soft surface of the belts 2'! to ensure positive drive.

While the fabric is in the condition indicated at the left in Fig. 2, steam is applied thereto from steam chests 36 disposed above and below the fabric so that jets of steam are projected on the upper and lower sides thereof and directly opposed to each other and in balanced relation with respect to pressure, the purpose being to avoid any distortion of the fabric or the introduction of any longitudinal tension thereto during the steaming operation. The precise structure of the steam chests 36 is the subject matter of a co-pending application Serial No. 118,086 filedSeptember 27, 1949, and forms no part of the present invention. .As previously indicated, other types of steam chests maybe used and the steam maybe applied only to the under side ofthe fabric.

Following steaming :of the fabric, it may be subjected to jets of air applied from-pipes 31 disposed aboverand below the fabric or merely below the fabric and supplied with air under pressure, either heated or cold, through a trunk 38 from a suitable blower 39. As hereinbefore indicated, the air is not essential and may be omitted.

-'The fabric, still free from longitudinal tension, passes to the finishing rolls 40 and M, if such rolls are employed. The rolls 4% and 4! are driven fromlazpulley' 42 which is connected by arms 44, the ends of. which embrace rods 45.

Springs 46 and 4'! are disposed above and below the arms 44, the upper spring 46 being adapted to force the roll 40 toward the roll 4|, whereas the spring 47 has the opposite effect. The ends of the rods 45 are connected to cranks 48 on a shaft at extending transversely of the frame of the machine. An arm or lever 55 is also connected to the shaft 49 and may be shifted about a segment-5! which is suitably supported on the frame of the machine. By raising the arm 56, the springs 41 are caused to overcome thetension of the springs 46, and the lowering of the arm 5!! permits the springs 46 to exert their pressure on the arm. Thus, depending uponthe position of the arm 59, the full weight of the roll 49 plus the biasing effect of the springs 46 may be applied to the fabric, whereas if the arm 5!! is raised, thus overcoming the tension of the springs 46, the weight of the roll 46 is overcome and the pressure may be zero or less. The preferable pressure applied between the rolls 4!] and t! is a so-called featherweight pressure, but any desired degree of pressure or none at all may be exerted upon the fabric by a simple adjust ment of the arm 5t. With featherweight pressure, the rolls 40 and 4! exert no tendency to effect longitudinal tension in the fabric which passes therethrough in relaxed condition, as is desirable to secure the preferred result.

A conveyor (Fig. 3) receives the fabric l1 and conveys it upwardly from the treating mechanism. The conveyor consists of a plurality of slats 52 mounted upon chains 53 which extend over sprockets 54 and 55. The sprocket 55 is driven by a belt 56 connected to the sprocket and a pulley 51 on a shaft 58 extending transversely of the frame of the machine. The pulley 5'! is driven through a belt 59.from a pulley 6!] which is, in turn, driven through a belt 6i from a pulley 62 on the shaft63 extending transverse- ?y oft-he machine and carrying a pulley 64 driven by a belt 65 from the variable speed'pulley 8. Thus, the fabric is conveyed upwardly without longitudinal tension and delivered to the folding mechanism, the details of which are described in application Ser. No. 116,174 filed September 16, 1949, and form'no part of the invention except for an improvement hereinafter described. The mechanism of the prior application includes swinging arms 66 actuated in the manner described in said application and carrying'rollers 6? at their lower ends which feed the fabric to a table 53 which mechanism above the table is adjustable as the pile of fabric increases. Y

The improvement of t e present-application relates to means for automatically threading the fabric through the rollers 67 when a fresh end of the fabric is delivered. It consists of a. plate 59 pivotally connected to the lower ends of the arms 66 and slidable between pins 15 on a bracket H. Orr-the opposite side, plate ?2 telescopes within a plate it. The plate '12 is pivoted at the lower end of the arms 66, and the plate 13 is p voted at M on a bracketlE. Thus, as the arms :5 swing backwardly and forwardly to distribute the fabric upon the table 68, the plates 69, E2 and 13 swing with it. When a fresh'end of the fabric is introduced by the conveyor, it falls between the plates 69 and the plates I2 and 13, and the end is readily gripped between the rollers 61 without any manual operation. The details of the operation of the arms 68 need not be described in detail, because it is fully described in the co-pending application. This improvement in the folding mechanism is described and claimed in our copending; application Ser. No. 257,087, filed November 10, 1951.

The invention as set. forth depends upon the treatment of the fabric, while it is relaxed and entirely free from longitudinal tension, with an aqueous medium such as steam or atomized water. This condition is achieved in the novel manner described through the use of a propeller by which the fabric is advanced at predetermined differential speeds in two successive zones, the'forward zone being propelled at a lower speed so that the fabric forms riffles. The edges of the fabric are propelled positively and without friction, and hence longitudinal tension is completely relieved.

1n the relaxed condition, the fabric is steamed. The steam is applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the fabric in a manner such that all pressure is balanced, or only to the lower surface, and the fabric is not subjected to any tension during steaming. Thereafter, the moisture may beremoved by air jets similarly applied to avoid distortion due to the ressure of the jets. Air drying may, however; be omitted.

Whether or not air is used for drying, the

fabricmay be subjected to rolling pressure appliedlso asto avoid longitudinal tension. The I pressure is preferably adjusted to a featherweight pressure in which the rolls just contact the. opposite sides of the fabric without applying any substantial pressure-thereto. However, the pressure may be adjusted as required. The featherweight pressure has been found sufficient toremove irregularities of the surface of the fabric and to give a desired finished appearance; In many cases the rolling pressure may be omitted. The fabric, directly after steaming, may be delivered to the conveyor and carried thereby to the folding mechanism. Usually the passage of the material over the conveyor allows suificient time for drying of surplus moisture.

By: ftransversely riiiiecl is meant that wrinkles, creases, folds or rumples are formed in thefabric. each extending transversely across the-fabric. It will also be clear from the above that by steaming or applying steam we mean to include the application to the fabric of any aqueous medium such as steam or water as a finely divided spray.

Various changes may be made in the details of the apparatus and in the operation thereof without departing from the invention or sacrificing the advantages thereof.

We claim: v

l. The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to flattened form and advancing rearward and forward portions at differential speeds so that the forward portion is relaxed and completely free from longitudinal tension, and applying steam simultane ously to the upper and lower sides of the relaxed and advancing fabric.

The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to flattened form and advancing rearward and forward portions at differential speeds so that the forward portion is relaxed and completely free from longi tudinal' tension, applying steam: simultaneously to! the. upper and lower sides of the relaxed'an'd advancing fabric, and. subjecting the fabric:- to rolling. pressure while it is still relaxed and free from longitudinal tension.

3-. The. method of treatingtubular textilefabrlc which comprises spreading the-fabric to flattened form and. advancing rearward. and forward, portions. at differential speeds so that the forward portion is relaxed and completely free 'fromlongitudinal tension, and applying steam to there'- laxe'd and advancing fabric. Y

4. The method of treating tubular textilerfabri'c which. comprisesspreading the fabric to flattened formand advancing rearward and forward portions at. diiferentialspeeds so that the forward portion is relaxed and completely free fromlongitudinal tension, applying steam simultaneously to the upper and lower sides of the'relaxed and advancing. fabric, and conveying the fabric in'a relaxed condition.

5. The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading'the fabric to flattened form and advancing rearward and forward portions: at differential speeds so that the forward portion is relaxed and transversely riflled and completely free from longitudinal tension,- applying: steam. simultaneously to the upper and lo-we'r sides of' the relaxed andadvancing fabric; and subjecting the fabric to rolling pressurewhile-it is still'relaxed and free from longitudinal tension.

6. The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabrictoflattened form and advancing rearward and forward portions at differential. speeds so that the forward portion is relaxed and transversely rifiled and completely free from longitudinal tension,. and applying steam simultaneously to the upper and lower sidesof the relaxed and advancing fabric.

7. The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to flattened form and advancing rearward and forward portions at differential speeds so that the forward portion is. relaxed and completely free from longi-'- tudinal tension, applying steam'to'the advancing fabric, and subjecting the fabric to rollingp'ressure while it is still relaxed-and freefrom longi tudinal tension.

8. The methodof treating tubular textile fabric which-comprises spreading: the fabric to flattened form andadvancing rearward and'forward p'or tions at diiferentialspe'eds so that the forward portion is relaxed and completely free from longitudinal tension, applying steam to the relaxed and advancing fabric, and conveying the fabric-in a relaxedcondition.

9. Themethod' of treating tubular textilerfabric which comprises spreadingthe fabric to'flattened form, advancing the fabric-so that the-forward. portion isrelaxed and completely free-from longitudinal tension, and applyingsteam to the relaxed portion of the advancing fabric.

10. The method of treating; tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to flattened form,.advancing the fabric sothatnth'e forward portion-is relaxed and completely free'from longitudinal tension, applying steam to the advancing; fabric, and subjecting. thefabric: to'rolling pressure while it is still relaxed and free from longitudinal tension.

11. The'method of treating. tubulartextile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to flattened form, advancing the fabric so that the-forward'portion is relaxed and completely free from longitudinal tension. applying steam tothe ad'- vancing fabric, and subjecting the fabric to rolling pressure while it is still relaxed and free from longitudinal tension, and adjusting the pressure applied to the fabric to avoid the application of longitudinal tension thereto.

12. The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to flattened form, advancing the fabric so that a portion thereof is relaxed and completely free from longitudinal tension, simultaneously applying steam to both sides of the relaxed portion of the fabric, and conveying the fabric in a relaxed condition.

13. The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to fiattened form, advancing the fabric so that a portion thereof is relaxed and completely free from longitudinal tension, applying steam to the relaxed and advancing fabric, and subjecting the fabric to rolling pressure while it is still relaxed and free from longitudinal tension.

14. The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to fiattened form, advancing the fabric so that a portion thereof is relaxed and completely free from longitudinal tension, applying steam to the relaxed portion of the fabric, and conveying the fabric in a relaxed condition.

15. The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to flattened form, advancing the fabric so that a portion thereof is relaxed and transversely rifiied and completely free from longitudinal tension, and applying steam to the advancing fabric.

16. The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to flattened form, advancing the fabric so that a portion thereof is relaxed and transversely riflied and completely free from longitudinal tension, and simultaneously directing steam upon opposite sides of the advancing fabric.

1'7. In an apparatus for treating tubular textile fabric, means for advancing portions of the fabric in flattened form at differential speeds whereby the forward portion of the fabric is relaxed and completely free from longitudinal tension, means for applying steam to the advancing fabric, means for applying rolling pressure to the relaxed fabric, and means for adjusting the pressure applied by the rolling pressure means, including a roll, bearings supporting the roll, resilient means effective on opposite sides of the bearings, and means for adjusting the position of the bearings.

18. In a propeller for treating tubular textile fabrics, a frame adapted to be inserted within the fabric, endless belts supported on the frame at the sides thereof, and common driving means for driving the belts at one end of the frame at a linear speed exceeding that of the belts at the opposite end.

19. A propeller for treating tubular textile fabric comprising a frame, two sets of endless belts, pulleys supporting the belts at the edges of the frame, and common driving means for the pulleys, the pulleys for the two sets of belts being proportioned relatively so that one set of belts travels at a linear speed lower than that of the other set of belts.

20. In an apparatus for treating tubular textile at the ends of the frame respectively with. one of, the pair of pulleys at the intermediate portion of, the frame, one of the pair of pulleys at the inter-1,

mediate portion of theframe being smaller in ef-v fective .diameter than the other, wherebyv the connecting the pulleys at the ends of the frame.

respectively with one of the pair of pulleys at the intermediate portion of the frame, the grooves in one of the pair of pulleys at the intermediate portion of the frame being deeper than the grooves in the other.

22. In an apparatus for treating tubular textile fabric, means for advancing the fabric, rolls for applying rolling pressure to the fabric, and means for adjusting the rolling pressure between less and more than the weight of the upper roll, including bearings for the upper roll, springs above and below the bearings, and lever means for adjusting the bearings relatively to the springs.

23. The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to flattened form, advancing the fabric so that a portion thereof is relaxed and transversely rifiled and completely free from longitudinal tension, applying steam to the fabric, and conveying the fabric in relaxed condition.

24. The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to flattened form and advancing rearward and forward portions at differential speeds so that the forward portion is relaxed and transversely riffied and completely free from longitudinal tension, applying steam to the relaxed and advancing fabric, and conveying the fabric in relaxed condition.

2-5. The method of treating tubular textile fabric which comprises spreading the fabric to flattened form, advancing the rearward and for fabric, a propeller consisting of side members and connecting means between them, each side member comprising aframe, a pair of pulleys at the intermediate portion of the frame, pulleys at the ends of the frame and belts connecting the pulleys ward portions at differential speeds so that the forward portion is relaxed and completely free from longitudinal tension, applying steam to the advancing fabric, subjecting the fabric to rolling pressure while it is still relaxed and free from longitudinal tension, and conveying the fabric in relaxed condition.

26. The method of treating, tubular textile fabric as set forth in claim 25 in which the forward portion of the fabric is transversely rifiled 27. In an apparatus for treating tubular textile fabric, propeller means for advancing the fabric in flattened form including a frame adapted to be inserted within the fabric and endless belts supported on the frame at the sides thereof and common driving means for driving the belts at one end of the frame at a speed different from those at the opposite end whereby the forward porticn of the fabric is relaxed and completely free from longitudinal tension, and means for applying steam to the fabric.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27 which includes means for applying steam to both sides of the fabric and means forapplyingroller pressure to the relaxed fabric.

29. An apparatus accordin'g'to claim 28 including means for conveying the fabric in relaxed condition. a

30. Apparatus for treating traveling tubular 'sion during the steaming.

textile fabric comprising means for advancing the ;fabric in flattened form. means for transvr'selymimingnt-he fabric, finishing rolls for pressmg athe fabric, means for steaming the fabric and means formaintaining the fabric in axifiied and relaxed condition free .of longitudinal :ten-

SAMUEL COHN. .JULES G. WALTER. EUGENE COHN.

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